Tunnels 06 - Terminal

sure, and you really know, don’t you? Based on what? We’re right in the middle of something we don’t understand, and who knows how it’s going to turn out if you go sticking your hand into that? You might really be hurt this time.’ He glared at Woody. ‘Ask him what this tower is, and what it’s here for, will you?’
    Elliott spoke to the bushman in Styx, and he replied, his expression inscrutable. She asked another question and again he answered in the rasping Styx language. ‘He doesn’t know any more than we do,’ Elliott told Will.
    ‘He doesn’t give that impression,’ Will countered.
    Elliott sighed in exasperation. ‘Look, I’ve tried to ask him. All he says is that this was meant to be. He’s using a word I don’t recognise, but I think it must mean destiny or fate, or something like that. Maybe it’s old Styx.’ She stooped to put her rifle on the ground by her feet, then straightened up again. ‘Can’t you feel it, Will?’ she said. ‘It’s all around us.’
    Will shook his head. ‘You keep saying that. Feel what exactly?’
    ‘There’s something here, and it’s, like, so much bigger than us,’ Elliott replied.
    Will and Jürgen exchanged glances. A raggedy flock of vultures were picking over the churned-up soil, and a trio of the largest and most unpleasant-looking ones, which resembled burst cushions, were fighting over a tasty morsel. They were making harsh, grating calls as they squabbled, but somehow it suited the moment.
    ‘No, I don’t feel anything different.’ Will peered up at the top of the tower with evident misgiving. ‘Look, I want to find out what all this is about as much as anyone, but we have to be careful. We haven’t the faintest idea what this tower is here for, so we have to take this one step at a time.’
    ‘I’m sorry, Will. Nobody tells me what to do,’ Elliott stated flatly. ‘This is my choice.’
    Will sighed, not knowing what else he could say to persuade her. He’d made his reservations clear and, short of physically restraining her, there wasn’t anything more he could do. So he kept his mouth shut as Elliott took one last look at him and moved towards the symbol. But in case she was thrown backwards again, he made sure he was in position to catch her.
    Elliott slowly reached out and placed her fingers in the three indentures.
    She stepped back as a circular opening with a diameter of around ten feet suddenly appeared in the tower to the left of the symbol. There was no sound, except some loose stones scattering across the floor inside the new opening.
    Will remained where he was, but Jürgen immediately slipped past Elliott and began to examine the entrance. ‘The outside skin is several centimetres thick. I can’t see where thedoor or panel has gone. How … where has it retracted?’
    ‘It was the same with that trapdoor in the pyramid,’ Will said. His tone was such that Elliott gave him a quick glance. Despite all that was going on, he felt thoroughly let down by his friend. She hadn’t listened to him.
    Jürgen was unaware of this as he continued his investigation, tapping various spots around the opening, his knuckles making barely any sound. ‘I can’t tell you what this material is – seems to be neither stone nor metal.’
    ‘See – there wasn’t any danger to us, was there? What did I tell you?’ Elliott said to Will, trying a smile on him as she went to collect her rifle from the ground.
    Will didn’t reciprocate, instead pretending to stare inside the opening. Then he waved a hand towards it. ‘So what now? We go inside? What if it closes again, and we’re stuck in there?’
    Elliott looked at him blankly. ‘Jesus, you’re one big scaredy cat these days! What happened to the great explorer? Maybe you are just getting old!’
    ‘I am not getting old,’ Will replied. He immediately stormed straight past Jürgen, who watched him with some surprise as he entered the tower without a second thought.

 
     
     
    Chapter Seven

    C hester and Parry had been deposited back on the shore by the marines in one of their high-speed inflatables. After all that had happened and the excitement of being on a submarine, it felt strange be on the wind-lashed beach again.
    ‘So do you reckon we can count them out? The Americans?’ Chester asked, as they began to walk towards the cliff.
    ‘Looks like it,’ Parry replied, his expression grim. ‘I’m not surprised that the President dropped us like a hot potato –